PopCultHQ’s Comic Book Review:
RETURN OF WOLVERINE #5

The conclusion to the saga that returns Wolverine to the Marvel Universe. Recently resurrected Logan is faced with one final, defining choice. Will “the best there is at what he does” move forward into a bold, new direction, or does this ride lead quietly back into the night?

Writing:

There’s a long-standing belief that death is just a comic book trope. That you can kill a character a thousand times over. How they die doesn’t matter. The story is in how you bring them back.

This series is not great evidence of that theory either way.

The Death of Wolverine was not a fitting end to the character who is, perhaps, the most popular and revered Marvel character of the last 40 years. The story wasn’t one befitting of the history, the aftermath was convoluted and lacklustre.

In that way, the Return of Wolverine has remained consistent to what Charles Soule had laid out.

Barring some aloof connections to Wolverine’s history, the self-contained nature of the story has worked against it. I must applaud Charles Soule for trying to tell a different story, but I feel this wasn’t the place for it.

Soule is a capable writer. He’s shown that his fresh ideas and creative flair can work. Red Lanterns and Swamp Thing were high-quality runs. Letter 44 and Curse Words will stand the test of time and become cult favourites for their ingenuity. I enjoyed Thunderbolts for it’s different take on the concept. Astonishing X-men started strong and displayed a good knowledge of how to handle fan favorites and tell a compelling story.

None of that was evident in this series. There are flashes of Wolverine’s essence. There were some requisite classic Wolvie moments. But it just didn’t have the magnitude the series should have had. I acknowledge how difficult it must be to wedge this in and tangentially tie it to other books and events concurrently.

But that’s never hampered the character in the past. Even at the height of X-men’s popularity.

I hope Charles Soule gets another chance to show us what we already know. He’s capable of much more than this.

Art:

I remember first seeing Steve McNiven’s work on Marvel Knights 4 title and knowing, without a doubt, this artist would become a superstar. His art had the potential to become the Alex Ross of pencilers, in a way that Gene Ha never fulfilled. It had the DNA of Brian Bolland somewhere in its realistically rendered, human style. Civil War broke him out and shot him into the stratosphere where he belonged. Old Man Logan certified his status. His work on Nemesis is an underrated highlight that should have you salivating that one day DC will pry him away from Marvel and let him run riot.

But, as with the writing, Return of Wolverine is not one for McNiven’s highlight reel. I don’t want to throw out the term “auto-pilot.” None of us critics can do what the creators of these books do. It’s important to remember nobody in a creative field intentionally sets out to make a failure.

There is some good in the art. In places, McNiven’s art recalls the iconic contribution Barry Windsor-Smith has made to Logan. His cinematic style lends itself to bigger moments. The character work and expressions are true to the script and feel real in parts. In others, they’re very reminiscent of Gary Frank’s art. I like that McNiven always pushes his style to evolve and grow. He’s not afraid to tweak things and challenge himself.

The Snikt! moments. The real hardcore Wolverine moments are well-handled. Impactful as far as the book allows.

But in fairness, maybe McNiven, his place in the mythology assured, has said everything he needs to with Wolverine. It might be time for him to work on other characters and challenge himself once more.

Colors:

Planetary, The Ultimates 2, Wolverine and the X-men, Ruse, Universe X, and JLA. Laura Martin has an exemplary record for bringing innovation and eye-popping spectacle to the works she has loaned her talent to over a long career. She has that all-important ability to suit perfectly whatever genre she colors. Her palettes evoke pitch perfect feeling and atmosphere while still bringing a newly minted feel.

She does her best to bring vibrancy and distinction to this issue. In some parts her choices and application are the foundation that keeps the story from collapsing completely. Working with such a capable creative team and outshining them noticeably, that’s testament to a truly talented professional who gets the job done and then some.

Letters:

Joe Sabino is a Deadpool mainstay. He’s got a solid string of work including everything from Silver Surfer, to Hawkeye, to the Dark Tower comic books. He’s adaptable. Pliable. Flexible. The lettering in this issue is a display of these qualities. His effects work, heavier in the action of the finale, shows he is a letterer who understand the value of building towards something rather than all-out sensory assault. Most importantly on a Wolverine book. He nails every. Single. Snikt.

PopCultHQ’s overall assessment

A fine finish to a series that had big ambitions but just didn’t get there in the end. The moments where the creative team shine leaves the reader wondering why that wasn’t the standard from jump. It has action. It has turns. It hits certain notes. But ultimately it leaves the reader feeling like Marvel must have better plans for what used to be one of its franchise players. Wolverine is the best there is at what he does. Unfortunately, in this issue, what he does just isn’t that impressive.

PopCultHQ’s Rating:

3 out of 5 Stars

PopCultHQ Rating – 3 Stars

RETURN OF WOLVERINE #5 can be purchased on ComiXology and
available at your local comic shop and online retailers on Wednesday, February 20th!

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